New team in Trois-Rivières, Qc in 2020

[Martin Veillette]

The project is on the table.
The new ECHL team will be the Montreal Canadiens AA team.

Club de l'ECHL affilié au Canadien: un projet sur la table à Trois-Rivières

Click to read more...

 

[GindyDraws]

This probably does in Brampton, as coupled with their constant need of support from the city, an affiliation would be the only thing keeping them alive.

 

[jabberoski]

This probably does in Brampton, as coupled with their constant need of support from the city, an affiliation would be the only thing keeping them alive.

Brampton is affiliated with Ottawa, not Monteral.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Trois-Rivières dit non à une équipe de la ECHL au Colisée

It was confirmed by the mayor of Trois-Rivières today that they turned down the ECHL proposal submitted by Dean MacDonald.

He was trying to recreate the model he created with the Newfoundland Growlers and associated them to the Leafs.

The rumor was that he was trying to make it happen in Quebec, with the Habs as the affiliate. It was only a rumor for a while, but a few days ago, it was confirmed that the Canadiens were interested and had signed to display their interest.

Former NHL-er Marc-André Bergeron was hired by the city to find tenants for the new arena. He obviously accomplished that.

However, there was a mayoral change a few months ago. The new mayor never showed much interest in having an ECHL team. His aim was for the QMJHL.

The complication with his desire is that the Q isn't interested in expansion or relocation. And on top of that, the city of Trois-Rivières would fall into the territory of neighboring cities with teams in the Q, one of them being Shawnigan. They would have a say in the matter. So the likelihood of a Junior team seems very unlikely.

They do have the university team who will play in the arena. And MacDonald has always been open in sharing the building with them.

MacDonald was awaiting an answer from the city because he needed to confirm with the ECHL if they'd have a team, to get it all ready for the 2020-21 season. He had until mid-December to advise them or else it would have to go to the year after.

Unfortunately, today, the mayor confirmed that they don't want an ECHL team, despite the Habs' confirmed participation. So the hopes of this project is dead.

Unless by some miracle something happens and things change. But for now, it's not in the works.

Also Bergeron was relieved of his duties even though he found them as big a partner they can have in the Canadiens. Note that he was hired by the previous mayor, who was very open about an ECHL team.

 

[GindyDraws]

Good ol' politics rearing its head. Plus, it's not like any team in the Q is just going to magically move to the place.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Edit: it may not be over JUST yet:

 

[Adam Michaels]

So according to the article whose link was Tweeted by Zadarnowski, it's not the city that informed MacDonald, but the mayor himself.

MacDonald asked if they can meet with all parties involved to come to a partnership.

In the article, the writer says that MacDonald is open to sharing the university team (which isn't news), but that he's also open to working with the minor team (QMJHL team). That part is news to me.

The final vote will be made on Tuesday with the council. They could overrule the mayor's refusal of this.

What I get out of this is that MacDonald is more than willing to work in partnership with everyone but the mayor just isn't having it.

 

[mk80]

This probably does in Brampton, as coupled with their constant need of support from the city, an affiliation would be the only thing keeping them alive.

I think Brampton is probably done with or without this development. That said maybe their franchise rights just get transferred over to Trois- Rivieres

 

[Growlers]

Newfoundland Growlers owner remains hopeful of putting another ECHL team in Trois-Rivières

Premium content
Brendan McCarthy ([email protected])
Published: 12 hours ago
Updated: 1 hour ago

A09-17122019-Stanford-McDonald-Trois-Rivieres.jpg Newfoundland Growlers owner Dean MacDonald (left) and Glenn Stanford, the team’s chief operating officer, have twice visited the Colisée, the new arena being constructed in Trois-Rivières, Que. MacDonald wants to establish another ECHL team, one affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens, in Trois-Rivières. A lot would seem to depend on the meeting of the municipality’s council tonight. — File/Twitter
Council in Quebec municipality is meeting tonight to discuss options for new arena

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. —
Dean MacDonald came into this week knowing he would be paying close attention to the next meeting of City Council.

No, we’re not talking about the regular municipal gathering at New Gower Street in St. John’s.
It’s the Quebec municipality of Trois-Rivières that has the attention of the owner of the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers.

MacDonald has a proposal to put another ECHL team in the Colisée, a new 4,500-seat facility set to open in Trois-Rivières next fall.

He and Growlers chief operating officer Glen Stanford have done a lot of spadework towards establishing what would be a new team affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens in Tros Rivieres, situated on the St. Lawrence River halfway between Montreal and Quebec.
But they struck a rocky patch recently.

The city’s mayor, Jean Lamarche, seems cool to the proposal, recently telling the Trois-Rivières daily newspaper Le Nouvelliste he wants more information, included clarification of MacDonald business plan. The paper also suggested Lamarche favours having the new arena associated with the University du Quebec-Trois-Rivières (UQTR) and its hockey team, the Patriotes.
“He’s leaning that way, at least from what we understand, but it is similar to council here,” said MacDonald. “He’s one vote and we do know from people reaching out to us that there are others on council who seem to be supportive.”

“He’s one vote and we do know from people reaching out to us that there are others on council who seem to be supportive.” — Dean MacDonald
​

The reaching out works both ways, with MacDonald sending an information packet to all members of council.

“I sent a letter last week because we had been just dealing with the mayor and we weren’t sure whether council really had been informed or at least was clear about our position,” said MacDonald, adding there was also outreach to council from Marc-Andre Bergeron, the Trois-Rivières native, former NHL defenceman, entrepreneur and MacDonald associate on the ECHL proposal.
Council meets tonight, with the Colisée and its potential usage and tenants expected to be on the agenda.

“It’s in the hands of the city at this point. If (tonight’s) meeting leads to what would see as a positive outcome, I think it would lead to a more fulsome discussion about actual details,” said MacDonald,” but we think it’s pretty clear what we are prepared to do.

“The Canadiens have stated publicly they will be the affiliated NHL partner, and we seem to be getting a lot of support in the community from fans and from citizens in general, and we’ve had positive feedback from the business community there.”

As for other parties who might be looking to utilize the new arena, McDonald said he would welcome a collaborative effort.

“We are willing to work with anyone,” he said. “The university hockey team has just 12 to 15 games (a season), so there’s room (on the hockey calendar) for everyone. The more the busier, and the more the merrier, because that will make it more successful.

“We are willing to work with anyone." — MacDonald
​

“Council doesn’t need to feel that we’re saying, ‘us alone or not’ or that we have adopted a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude. We understand there is expressed interest from others and we think that’s wonderful, that it makes sense.”

Trois-Rivières was once home to a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team, the Draveurs, but the QMJHL hasn’t been in the city since 1992 and return to major junior seems unlikely with the Q’s Shawinigan Cataractes just 30 minutes down the road.

The Canadiens once had a loose affiliation with the ECHL’s Brampton Beast, but that ended last season and this year, the Habs have their ECHL assignees with a number of teams. However, MacDonald said the Canadiens have indicated they are interested in having an ECHL franchise in Trois-Rivières following the model of the Growlers and Toronto Maple Leafs, who have what is agreed to be the strongest partnership, especially in terms of roster building, in the AA minor hockey circuit.

MacDonald agrees having a Canadiens-associated club in Trois-Rivières would be good for the Growlers in that it would provide a natural rival and would help reduce the Newfoundland team’s travel costs, and not just for away games. Sharing the same ownership would mean the Growlers wouldn’t have to pay a Trois-Rivières team the travel subsidy it provides other visitors to Mile One Centre in St. John’s.

“That’s true, it would be a benefit (to the Growlers), but it’s not the reason we’re doing this,” said MacDonald.

“It’s because Trois-Rivières a good market and it’s a hockey hotbed, the hometown of Jean Beliveau and other stars. We have a good plan, good partners and we really believe we can make it work.”

Source: Newfoundland Growlers owner remains hopeful of putting another ECHL team in Trois-Rivières | The Telegram

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

Newfoundland Growlers owner remains hopeful of putting another ECHL team in Trois-Rivières

Premium content
Brendan McCarthy ([email protected])
Published: 12 hours ago
Updated: 1 hour ago

A09-17122019-Stanford-McDonald-Trois-Rivieres.jpg Newfoundland Growlers owner Dean MacDonald (left) and Glenn Stanford, the team’s chief operating officer, have twice visited the Colisée, the new arena being constructed in Trois-Rivières, Que. MacDonald wants to establish another ECHL team, one affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens, in Trois-Rivières. A lot would seem to depend on the meeting of the municipality’s council tonight. — File/Twitter
Council in Quebec municipality is meeting tonight to discuss options for new arena

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. —
Dean MacDonald came into this week knowing he would be paying close attention to the next meeting of City Council.

No, we’re not talking about the regular municipal gathering at New Gower Street in St. John’s.
It’s the Quebec municipality of Trois-Rivières that has the attention of the owner of the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers.

MacDonald has a proposal to put another ECHL team in the Colisée, a new 4,500-seat facility set to open in Trois-Rivières next fall.

He and Growlers chief operating officer Glen Stanford have done a lot of spadework towards establishing what would be a new team affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens in Tros Rivieres, situated on the St. Lawrence River halfway between Montreal and Quebec.
But they struck a rocky patch recently.

The city’s mayor, Jean Lamarche, seems cool to the proposal, recently telling the Trois-Rivières daily newspaper Le Nouvelliste he wants more information, included clarification of MacDonald business plan. The paper also suggested Lamarche favours having the new arena associated with the University du Quebec-Trois-Rivières (UQTR) and its hockey team, the Patriotes.
“He’s leaning that way, at least from what we understand, but it is similar to council here,” said MacDonald. “He’s one vote and we do know from people reaching out to us that there are others on council who seem to be supportive.”

“He’s one vote and we do know from people reaching out to us that there are others on council who seem to be supportive.” — Dean MacDonald
​

The reaching out works both ways, with MacDonald sending an information packet to all members of council.

“I sent a letter last week because we had been just dealing with the mayor and we weren’t sure whether council really had been informed or at least was clear about our position,” said MacDonald, adding there was also outreach to council from Marc-Andre Bergeron, the Trois-Rivières native, former NHL defenceman, entrepreneur and MacDonald associate on the ECHL proposal.
Council meets tonight, with the Colisée and its potential usage and tenants expected to be on the agenda.

“It’s in the hands of the city at this point. If (tonight’s) meeting leads to what would see as a positive outcome, I think it would lead to a more fulsome discussion about actual details,” said MacDonald,” but we think it’s pretty clear what we are prepared to do.

“The Canadiens have stated publicly they will be the affiliated NHL partner, and we seem to be getting a lot of support in the community from fans and from citizens in general, and we’ve had positive feedback from the business community there.”

As for other parties who might be looking to utilize the new arena, McDonald said he would welcome a collaborative effort.

“We are willing to work with anyone,” he said. “The university hockey team has just 12 to 15 games (a season), so there’s room (on the hockey calendar) for everyone. The more the busier, and the more the merrier, because that will make it more successful.

“We are willing to work with anyone." — MacDonald
​

“Council doesn’t need to feel that we’re saying, ‘us alone or not’ or that we have adopted a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude. We understand there is expressed interest from others and we think that’s wonderful, that it makes sense.”

Trois-Rivières was once home to a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team, the Draveurs, but the QMJHL hasn’t been in the city since 1992 and return to major junior seems unlikely with the Q’s Shawinigan Cataractes just 30 minutes down the road.

The Canadiens once had a loose affiliation with the ECHL’s Brampton Beast, but that ended last season and this year, the Habs have their ECHL assignees with a number of teams. However, MacDonald said the Canadiens have indicated they are interested in having an ECHL franchise in Trois-Rivières following the model of the Growlers and Toronto Maple Leafs, who have what is agreed to be the strongest partnership, especially in terms of roster building, in the AA minor hockey circuit.

MacDonald agrees having a Canadiens-associated club in Trois-Rivières would be good for the Growlers in that it would provide a natural rival and would help reduce the Newfoundland team’s travel costs, and not just for away games. Sharing the same ownership would mean the Growlers wouldn’t have to pay a Trois-Rivières team the travel subsidy it provides other visitors to Mile One Centre in St. John’s.

“That’s true, it would be a benefit (to the Growlers), but it’s not the reason we’re doing this,” said MacDonald.

“It’s because Trois-Rivières a good market and it’s a hockey hotbed, the hometown of Jean Beliveau and other stars. We have a good plan, good partners and we really believe we can make it work.”

Source: Newfoundland Growlers owner remains hopeful of putting another ECHL team in Trois-Rivières | The Telegram

Trois-Rivières dit non à une équipe de la ECHL au Colisée

Some excerpts from this article, translated for the non-bilingual HFboards members:

"Le maire Jean Lamarche a informé l’homme d’affaires terre-neuvien Dean MacDonald que son projet d’installer une équipe de la East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) au futur Colisée de Trois-Rivières n'aura pas lieu. Les conseillers municipaux n’auraient pas été consultés."
Mayor (of Trois-Rivières) Jean Lamarche has informed the Newfoundland business man Dean MacDonald that his project to put a ECHL team in the future Colisée de Trois-Rivières will not happen. The municipal counselors were not consulted.

"L’homme d’affaires a fait parvenir une lettre aux conseillers municipaux de Trois-Rivières, dont Radio-Canada a obtenu copie, pour les informer que le maire Lamarche avait rejeté sa proposition d’affaires, alléguant que la Ville de Trois-Rivières a choisi d’aller dans une autre direction."
[Dean MacDonald] sent a letter to the Trois-Rivières municipal counselors, with Radio-Canada obtaining a copy, to inform them that Mayor Lamarche rejected his business proposal, alleging that the City of Trois-Rivières has chosen to go in another direction.

"Le Terre-Neuvien aurait voulu installer une autre équipe de la ECHL à Trois-Rivières, qui serait affilié au Canadien de Montréal et au Rocket de Laval."
The Newfoundland man would have wanted to put another ECHL team in Trois-Rivières, one that would be affiliated with the Montréal Canadiens and Laval Rocket.

"Dans sa proposition d’affaires, Dean MacDonald a expliqué qu’il ne souhaite pas s’occuper de la gestion du Colisée, mais qu’il est tout à fait prêt à collaborer avec les autres organisations sportives de la ville, parmi lesquelles figurent les Patriotes de l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), qui eux aussi souhaitent occuper le nouveau Colisée."
In his proposal, Dean MacDonald explained that he does not want to manage the Coliseum, but that he was ready to collaborate with the other sports teams in the city, including the UQTR Patriotes, who also wish to occupy the new arena.

"Il joint à sa missive aux élus une lettre d’appui de l’organisation du Canadien de Montréal, qui dit que celle-ci serait ravie d’avoir un partenaire de la ECHL à moins de 150 km du Centre Bell et de la Place Bell. Les signataires disent également faire totalement confiance à Dean MacDonald et à son partenaire d’affaires, Glenn Stanford."
[Dean MacDonald] attached to his submission to the municipal counselors a letter of support from the Montreal Canadiens organization, which said that it would be delighted to have an ECHL partner within 150 km of the Bell Center and Place Bell. The signatories also say they have complete confidence in Dean MacDonald and his partner, Glenn Stanford.

"On a demandé aussi au maire de faire ses devoirs et d'aller renégocier avec M. Macdonald pour s'assurer qu'on soit aller au bout, que nous quand on va prendre notre décision, qu'on ait vraiment l'heure juste des deux côtés, relate le conseiller du district de Châteaudun, Luc Tremblay."
[The municpal counselors] also asked the mayor to do his homework and renegotiate with Mr. Macdonald to make sure that we are going to the end, that we when we are going to make our decision, that we really have the right time for two sides, relates Luc Tremblay, Châteaudun's district councilor.

Most of the journalists covering the Canadien are saying that the proposal is dead since there are continued doubts over the interest in ECHL hockey in Québec, even one affiliated with the Canadien. Major junior is well followed in the province, but the ECHL has never held any interest. But there are also doubts that the QMJHL in the market given the current status of the league. It is within Shawinigan's territory, the league doesn't want to expand, no teams are for sale to relocate. The mayor has been very vocal of his support for the Q and UQTR Patriotes. But as it stands now, the ECHL bid is over.

 

[tony d]

Interesting, sounds like we'd keep the team in St.John's and there'd be a new team in Trois Rivieres. Will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[extra skater]

"Everyone there, including media, think the League is still called East Coast Hockey League"

Do the league operators wonder why is that?

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[wildcat48]

If Lamarche believes he is going to get a Q team... he is out of his friggin mind. There is no way in hell the Q is going to T-R. Having the Habs ECHL franchise in that facility would have been perfect, but Lamarche told the golden goose to F-off. Not a smart move.

 

[GindyDraws]

If Lamarche believes he is going to get a Q team... he is out of his friggin mind. There is no way in hell the Q is going to T-R. Having the Habs ECHL franchise in that facility would have been perfect, but Lamarche told the golden goose to F-off. Not a smart move.

The Q is NOT expanding to 19 or 20 teams. I don't see another location getting a new arena built in Quebec and the Maritimes are notoriously strapped for cash, which makes the Atlantic Schooners CFL project a proposed regional team as opposed to just a Halifax team. City might as well just take whatever tenant they can, be it ECHL or even LNAH, cause the Q is not coming to "Three Rivers".

 

[royals119]

The next league meeting is during the All-Star break, and that has traditionally been a deadline for new teams for the following season, although they sometimes "recess" the meeting instead of "adjourning" so they can take a final vote via conference call if there is a pending piece of the puzzle like a lease hasn't been finalized. Typically you can't come to the March meeting and add a new team if you haven't already made a presentation at the mid year meeting and have most of your "ducks in a row".

The mayor really seems to be over-reaching. I'm not sure about Canadian governance, but in the US if there was a zoning application for a McDonalds and the mayor thinks Burger King is better, he can't block the approval just because he thinks one company has a better business plan. If they have an arena they are trying to lease to a hockey team, there should be a set of requirements, and if the team meets those requirements they should be approved.

No city or area really follows minor league hockey (or even minor league sports in general) if they don't have a local team. To say the team can't be successful because no one there follows that league now is dumb. No one in Reading followed the ECHL before we got a team, and I'm sure that is true of every other city before they got their first team as well.

 

[Growlers]

It seems crazy they would want to pick a university team of a habs ECHL affiliate in Quebec. It seems like a win-win to me. Plus with another Canadian team close to Newfoundland it would cut down on travel costs for us here. I'm guessing that is one of the factors Dean MacDonald is looking at.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

The Q is NOT expanding to 19 or 20 teams. I don't see another location getting a new arena built in Quebec and the Maritimes are notoriously strapped for cash, which makes the Atlantic Schooners CFL project a proposed regional team as opposed to just a Halifax team. City might as well just take whatever tenant they can, be it ECHL or even LNAH, cause the Q is not coming to "Three Rivers".

the Q is not to be trusted, publically or privately, until Gilles Courteau is gone, folks.... the way he continually played Montreal as a 'fallback' option for the Fog Devils, he lets the original Draveurs franchise into termination in Lewiston, to put Sherbrooke back in the league.... remember the comments months ago over Manchester looking at a Q Team, in the LA Presse article....where it was quickly shot down that you need minimum 2 teams in Maine, which isn't realistic.

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

the Q is not to be trusted, publically or privately, until Gilles Courteau is gone, folks.... the way he continually played Montreal as a 'fallback' option for the Fog Devils, he lets the original Draveurs franchise into termination in Lewiston, to put Sherbrooke back in the league.... remember the comments months ago over Manchester looking at a Q Team, in the LA Presse article....where it was quickly shot down that you need minimum 2 teams in Maine, which isn't realistic.

Manchester was reportedly looking at a QMJHL team, the QMJHL was not looking at Manchester. In February of this year Gilles Courteau said there were no immediate relocation or expansion plans after taking a long time looking at their options (source: QMJHL commissioner says there are no immediate expansion plans | Cape Breton Post). The league won't expand and there will be no relocations since no teams are for sale or are looking to eventually sell. Even Acadie-Bathurst is settled in. Courteau has said countless times he doesn't want to expand and water down the league further.

The league wants New England, since they are the only major junior league with no American teams, but have no place to put a team where it would work. They realized this a long time ago. The Q's main, realistic, long-term goals are Fredricton, NB and in Montérégie (source: La LHJMQ veut un club en Montérégie). People expecting the Q to move into New England will be waiting a long time, they're painfully aware of their limitations.

As for not trusting the league, get off your obsession with franchises. The original Draveurs franchise moving around has absolutely no meaning and carries zero value. The original Maine Mariners in the 70s are currently the Stockton Heat. Doesn't mean that Portland, Maine, or anything related to Stephen King has any meaning for the Heat. Gilles Courteau is doing a good job running a league that has faced a ton of external problems.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Manchester was reportedly looking at a QMJHL team, the QMJHL was not looking at Manchester. In February of this year Gilles Courteau said there were no immediate relocation or expansion plans after taking a long time looking at their options (source: QMJHL commissioner says there are no immediate expansion plans | Cape Breton Post). The league won't expand and there will be no relocations since no teams are for sale or are looking to eventually sell. Even Acadie-Bathurst is settled in. Courteau has said countless times he doesn't want to expand and water down the league further.

The league wants New England, since they are the only major junior league with no American teams, but have no place to put a team where it would work. They realized this a long time ago. The Q's main, realistic, long-term goals are Fredricton, NB and in Montérégie (source: La LHJMQ veut un club en Montérégie). People expecting the Q to move into New England will be waiting a long time, they're painfully aware of their limitations.

As for not trusting the league, get off your obsession with franchises. The original Draveurs franchise moving around has absolutely no meaning and carries zero value. The original Maine Mariners in the 70s are currently the Stockton Heat. Doesn't mean that Portland, Maine, or anything related to Stephen King has any meaning for the Heat. Gilles Courteau is doing a good job running a league that has faced a ton of external problems.

Disagree with that, sorry. it was the way it was handled, BD, YOU'RE NOT GOING to change anyone's mind in Lewiston/Auburn, or elsewhere in the state...Courteau is a power-hungry ogre..... nothing will change that perception

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

Disagree with that, sorry. it was the way it was handled, BD, YOU'RE NOT GOING to change anyone's mind in Lewiston/Auburn, or elsewhere in the state...Courteau is a power-hungry ogre..... nothing will change that perception

The team never broke even in L/A. They suffered from poor support despite being a playoff team most seasons and even winning the league. They were actively looking to relocate to over half a dozen markets during their last two 2 years, including Fredericton, Summerside, St. John's, Boisbriand, Sherbroooke, among others. The owner was so desperate to get out that he sold the team to the league because he couldn't find any takers to relocate or to keep the team stateside. Gilles Courteau was the only reason the team stayed in Maine as long as it did since he didn't allow them to relocate at the end of the day and only bought them when the owner was ready to let the team fold.

If you call all of that being a "power-hungry ogre," then your perceptiveness is as ill-guided and irrational as it normally is. Nearly on par with your reaction to the AHL leaving Portland...nearly.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

The team never broke even in L/A. They suffered from poor support despite being a playoff team most seasons and even winning the league. They were actively looking to relocate to over half a dozen markets during their last two 2 years, including Fredericton, Summerside, St. John's, Boisbriand, Sherbroooke, among others. The owner was so desperate to get out that he sold the team to the league because he couldn't find any takers to relocate or to keep the team stateside. Gilles Courteau was the only reason the team stayed in Maine as long as it did since he didn't allow them to relocate at the end of the day and only bought them when the owner was ready to let the team fold.

If you call all of that being a "power-hungry ogre," then your perceptiveness is as ill-guided and irrational as it normally is. Nearly on par with your reaction to the AHL leaving Portland...nearly.

nope, you're the one who's been duped, BD, The market is better off without the Qin New England or Maine, adios, you know absolutely nothing about Portland, Lewiston/Auburn, or the fanbase, we do, and it has been well documented that Courteau is persona non grata in Maine

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

nope, you're the one who's been duped, BD, The market is better off without the Qin New England or Maine, adios, you know absolutely nothing about Portland, Lewiston/Auburn, or the fanbase, we do, and it has been well documented that Courteau is persona non grata in Maine

You're including yourself in the Portland fanbase? That doesn't seem right. If that was the case, you would be watching Mariners games live instead of watching mid-2000s Pirates highlights on YouTube.

As usual, you've left out documentation when making an assertion. I've provided links showing that Courteau refused to let the Maineiacs relocate despite plenty of opportunities to do so, effectively making him the sole reason why Lewiston still had hockey for two years. Please provide some documentation of Courteau being a persona non grata in Maine or your claim will be rendered ab absurdo as yours usually are.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

It seems crazy they would want to pick a university team of a habs ECHL affiliate in Quebec. It seems like a win-win to me. Plus with another Canadian team close to Newfoundland it would cut down on travel costs for us here. I'm guessing that is one of the factors Dean MacDonald is looking at.

I lived in Trois-Rivières for a while and les Patriotes de l'UQTR used to be a very big deal. ECHL does not have a good reputation in the province.

Thinking it is a slam dunk is not knowing the market at all. Les Patriotes are an easier sell than an ECHL team in Trois-Rivières.

 

[Growlers]

I lived in Trois-Rivières for a while and les Patriotes de l'UQTR used to be a very big deal. ECHL does not have a good reputation in the province.

Thinking it is a slam dunk is not knowing the market at all. Les Patriotes are an easier sell than an ECHL team in Trois-Rivières.

Just curious why the ECHL does not have a good reputation there? As someone looking in I would think a team affiliated with the Habs would be a big draw.